On Thursday 14 June energy and climate change secretary Ed Davey said the UK's future energy mix was "inconceivable" without wind power, and said the technology could provide up to two-thirds of the UK's renewable electricity by 2020. He noted the economic benefits of wind power from a recent report by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, which suggested that ambitious deployment of offshore wind could increase UK GDP by 0.2% in three years. Davey cited recent polls to suggest the government had a mandate to support the expansion of wind power, but stressed too little was being done to "consult, communicate, and give people a stake" in what happens in their area. But Davey said the new National Policy Planning Framework encouraged communities to plan for renewables, and the government would shortly deliver proposals to let communities keep the business rates generated by renewable energy projects. The trade body for renewables generators, Renewable UK, said Davey had made a "strong affirmation" of his personal commitment to the wind industry. Chief executive Maria McCaffery noted government support was a "critical part" of ensuring the offshore wind sector was able to reach its full potential in terms of electricity-generating capacity, jobs, and investment. She expressed confidence the government would put wind power "at the heart" of the UK's future energy mix.DECCRenewable UK

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